Now, classes in crossing railway tracks

Three days after two young boys were crushed to death by a speeding train in Ghaziabad, the Delhi division of Northern Railways has decided to educate school children on the do’s and don’ts at railway crossings.

In the past six months, hundreds of people have lost their lives on railway tracks. Reason: They couldn’t hear the train coming as they were glued to their mobile phones or ipods.

The Railways have identified the spots where maximum accidents have taken place in the past six months and have made special teams to visit the schools of those areas to educate the schoolchildren on the issue.

“The biggest reason behind these accidents is the lack of concentration while crossing,” said Ashwani Lohani, divisional railway manager, Delhi division. According to section 147 of the Railway Act, trespassing on railway tracks is prohibited and such people can face imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of Rs 1,000, or both.

In six months, nearly 610 people have lost their lives on railway tracks in Delhi. The most affected areas are Shahdara, Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Okhla, Narela and Shakur Basti. Satellite towns like Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurgaon are also in this list.

“Children don’t know trespassing tracks is an offence. It is our responsibility to make them aware,” said SK Budhalakoti, GM (Northern Railway).The Northern Railways are also conducting random checks near tracks. In the past 15 days, around 100 people have been fined for crossing the tracks.